LPGA tournament teeing off

The Meijer LPGA Classic is starting next week.

About 144 of the best female golfers in the world will gather in Belmont, just north of Grand Rapids, between June 12-17 at Blythefield County Club.

The 2017 tournament raised $1 million for Meijer’s Simply Give hunger-relief program, which supports local food pantries.

In total, the tournament has generated more than $3.1 million for the Meijer Simply Give program.

“The Meijer LPGA Classic is for the community," said Rick Keyes, president and CEO, Meijer. "We’re thankful it’s a tournament the community has embraced over the past four years — as attendees, as community partners, as volunteers.

"We look forward to this year’s event, which we certainly couldn’t do without a strong team of volunteers and staff.”

The fifth-annual event will need more than 700 volunteers.